This tale begins with the purchase of a waterproof camera from Target.
The choice was between a Kodak camera and a Target brand camera. The Target camera came with a coupon for photo processing. So I chose that one.
Upon arriving home and opening the package I find that the coupon has expired. Three months ago. No biggie, I decided to keep the receipt from purchase to prove the date I bought it and that it came with an expired coupon.
We went, I took pictures. I dropped the camera off when we got home, debating hour processing vs next day. I went with next day because I wanted to go home and watch the games I had missed over the weekend.
So next day we go to pick them up. I had my receipt, my coupon and no one was in the photo lab. So I dragged someone over from customer service. She searched and searched and couldn't find them. THEN she saw them in a pile of cameras and film. She explained that whoever worked yesterday must not have developed anything. She would start on them right away. So I thanked her and left (I had come from the gym and didn't want to wait an hour.)
I worked three days in a row and didn't go back to Target, giving them plenty of time.
We go in and they can't find them. Searches, searches, searches. Finds them laying off to the side. She explains that the camera still had film on it so they didn't develop it. I told her that the camera started at zero and counted to 27. So I had taken all the photos. I also showed her were it said pictures taken after 27 may not develop properly. I was aggravated because I had left my number. You would think they would have called to tell me they were not going to develop my photos? She said she'd get right on it. (Every time, it's been a different girl.) We come back after doing a bit of shopping and she's standing by the photo machine. She says some of the photos were exposed and so the coloring might be off, but they should be ready soon. We had to leave because my parents were on their way in. I had a bit of relief because she seemed to be by the machine waiting on them.
I come back two days later (yet again, giving them plenty of time. Besides who really wants to go to Target every day?) Still, not developed. This girls explains that they weren't developed because there were still photos left. I leave a note saying to develop them REGARDLESS. The camera goes to 30 but photos after 27 will not develop properly. (By this time it's out of the camera so I can't TAKE more pictures anyway. I don't know why she kept trying to hand me the undeveloped roll.) I guess the girl two days ago HAD NOT put them in the machine.
Today I call to see if they're ready. There's no one working the photo lab so the customer service representave looks with no success and says to call back in 15 minutes. About 8 minutes later I get a call. A cheery voice tells me that they exposed all of my film so none of my pictures turned out. They're all black.
Wonderful. Thanks.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
June 26, 2010
Yay! This was the day my parents got to spend here in AR
We ate a delicious (if I say so myself) breakfast. Vegetable Fritatta from Runner's World. Yum.
Then we decided to do a bit of shopping around Little Rock. Kinda an adventure for me too. I haven't really gone out shopping just for things since I moved here.
We visited a place called The Garden Ridge. It's kinda a Sam's Club of home decor. Furniture, Pottery, Clothes, Bedding, Kitchen gadgets. Everything. My mom loved it.
Here we are shopping. We also ran through the Container Store. It's a giant organizational center with stuff for holding stuff. Anything that can hold something. They sell it. Plastic buckets for dog food. Luggage for travel. Shelves for sweaters, gift boxes. We also went to Williams Sonoma. Another store I like and cannot afford. They have an espresso machine for well over $1,0000. It's very shiny.
We ran to Jason's Deli for veggie muffalatas and hurried home to catch the game. USA vs. Ghana. I guess I don't have to share the details of who won THAT encounter.
We don't technically have tv. That is we don't get channels. We've been plugging the laptop into the television set and watching through ESPN. However, turns out this game was televised by ABC. Oh NOES! We had no way to watch it. There we were sandwiches and deli pickles at the ready, ice cream bars in the fridge and no access to the game! Had it been just John and I we would have driven to the gym to watch it. Unfortunately, they have a very strict visitor policy since it's a 24 hour facility.
John is a wiz with quick searches (all those years as a reference librarian) and managed to find another live streaming site. However, it was entirely in Spanish. So we watched it in Spanish and tried to recall that which we had learned in high school. Thankfully, soccer has a universal language.
Too bad we lost.
At least I still have Germany.
We ate a delicious (if I say so myself) breakfast. Vegetable Fritatta from Runner's World. Yum.
Then we decided to do a bit of shopping around Little Rock. Kinda an adventure for me too. I haven't really gone out shopping just for things since I moved here.
We visited a place called The Garden Ridge. It's kinda a Sam's Club of home decor. Furniture, Pottery, Clothes, Bedding, Kitchen gadgets. Everything. My mom loved it.
Here we are shopping. We also ran through the Container Store. It's a giant organizational center with stuff for holding stuff. Anything that can hold something. They sell it. Plastic buckets for dog food. Luggage for travel. Shelves for sweaters, gift boxes. We also went to Williams Sonoma. Another store I like and cannot afford. They have an espresso machine for well over $1,0000. It's very shiny.We ran to Jason's Deli for veggie muffalatas and hurried home to catch the game. USA vs. Ghana. I guess I don't have to share the details of who won THAT encounter.
We don't technically have tv. That is we don't get channels. We've been plugging the laptop into the television set and watching through ESPN. However, turns out this game was televised by ABC. Oh NOES! We had no way to watch it. There we were sandwiches and deli pickles at the ready, ice cream bars in the fridge and no access to the game! Had it been just John and I we would have driven to the gym to watch it. Unfortunately, they have a very strict visitor policy since it's a 24 hour facility.
John is a wiz with quick searches (all those years as a reference librarian) and managed to find another live streaming site. However, it was entirely in Spanish. So we watched it in Spanish and tried to recall that which we had learned in high school. Thankfully, soccer has a universal language.
Too bad we lost.
At least I still have Germany.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
June 25, 2010
Have you ever had an incredibly, almost unjustifiably stressful checkout experience.
The entire time I felt like the cashiers were oozing exasperation and frustration. I don't blame them.
My parents were coming down today. Yay! I had a lot to do before they got here. I had worked the past three days (my first time working here, yippie!) so naturally the house was... well, every hear of chaos theory? Luckily I have a roomba (<3 roomba!) So I still got to run my 4 miles.
Oh yea, 4 miles, part of the marathon training. Phew. John did it with me. So proud of him!
I had to mail my nursing license (and a lot of other documents) so I could continue working here, as well as buy groceries for the next week, and various other tidbits of errands. So when I got the call that they were coming a bit earlier I was excited and kicked it into turbo gear.
Unfortunately, the checkout station at Kroger was not prepared for my turbo gear.
I'll admit, I'm a pretty tough customer when it comes to checking out. I bring green bags, buy almost all fresh produce, and like to organize my items based on my kitchen storage plan.
This is why I almost ALWAYS use the self-checkout. This way I can have all my OCD and not frustrate anyone else. Well, because I was in a hurry I thought I'd let a cashier check me out (fresh produce) but the line was a little too long, so I switched, then the self-checkout didn't want to let me use my bags, and they kept falling, and the "attendant" had to keep clearing my bags, then my loaf of bread didn't have a barcode. Finally I managed to get out of there. It took nearly 15 minutes to check out! Gah! So stressed.
Oh yea, this is also after I tried to pick-up my photos from Target. A week ago they didn't develop any of the film that had been dropped of the day I dropped mine off. So they told me to come back tomorrow. I gave them a week. Now they told me that they didn't develop my camera because none of the pictures had been taken. So I clarified that the camera started at zero and counted to 27. That's why the wheel read 27 photos. She said she'd develop them right away. So we shopped Target and when we returned she said she had exposed some of our film and they the pictures should be done in another 15 minutes. Not having that kind of time. We left. I thought the phone number I left with my photos was specifically for situations like that...hmm.
All in all very stressful. Post office, then photo debacle, topped off with non-functional checkout.
But my parents made it safely here.
We ate at Faded Rose.
I tried frog legs for the first time. Yes, yes I know it's not VEGETARIAN, but if I have the chance for a new experience I'm going to try it! Very yummy
.
Then we ran to Hobby Lobby so my Dad could get some model train gear and I bought two glass owls.
I <3 owls.
The entire time I felt like the cashiers were oozing exasperation and frustration. I don't blame them.
My parents were coming down today. Yay! I had a lot to do before they got here. I had worked the past three days (my first time working here, yippie!) so naturally the house was... well, every hear of chaos theory? Luckily I have a roomba (<3 roomba!) So I still got to run my 4 miles.
Oh yea, 4 miles, part of the marathon training. Phew. John did it with me. So proud of him!
I had to mail my nursing license (and a lot of other documents) so I could continue working here, as well as buy groceries for the next week, and various other tidbits of errands. So when I got the call that they were coming a bit earlier I was excited and kicked it into turbo gear.
Unfortunately, the checkout station at Kroger was not prepared for my turbo gear.
I'll admit, I'm a pretty tough customer when it comes to checking out. I bring green bags, buy almost all fresh produce, and like to organize my items based on my kitchen storage plan.
This is why I almost ALWAYS use the self-checkout. This way I can have all my OCD and not frustrate anyone else. Well, because I was in a hurry I thought I'd let a cashier check me out (fresh produce) but the line was a little too long, so I switched, then the self-checkout didn't want to let me use my bags, and they kept falling, and the "attendant" had to keep clearing my bags, then my loaf of bread didn't have a barcode. Finally I managed to get out of there. It took nearly 15 minutes to check out! Gah! So stressed.
Oh yea, this is also after I tried to pick-up my photos from Target. A week ago they didn't develop any of the film that had been dropped of the day I dropped mine off. So they told me to come back tomorrow. I gave them a week. Now they told me that they didn't develop my camera because none of the pictures had been taken. So I clarified that the camera started at zero and counted to 27. That's why the wheel read 27 photos. She said she'd develop them right away. So we shopped Target and when we returned she said she had exposed some of our film and they the pictures should be done in another 15 minutes. Not having that kind of time. We left. I thought the phone number I left with my photos was specifically for situations like that...hmm.
All in all very stressful. Post office, then photo debacle, topped off with non-functional checkout.
But my parents made it safely here.
We ate at Faded Rose.
I tried frog legs for the first time. Yes, yes I know it's not VEGETARIAN, but if I have the chance for a new experience I'm going to try it! Very yummy
.
Then we ran to Hobby Lobby so my Dad could get some model train gear and I bought two glass owls.
I <3 owls.
Friday, June 25, 2010
So I was very bad two days ago and I didn't even want to be! I really wanted to go running and cook dinner and be good etc, but but...
We had pizza and watched a movie. It was also great.
But bad. Now I feel sluggish. Today was supposed to be another 4mi that I should have done yesterday. Too bad for me.
The training schedule gives me two days off a week. I just decided to put them together. Oops.
I may have found a running buddy. My preceptor son is a runner and he's willing to show me around some trails. I would love that. There's also a runners group here. Little Rock RoadRunners. I don't know if I'm good enough for a group yet. I've got stubby little legs that don't really like to go faster than 10min/mi.
Finally, a day off. Work is not as stressful here. Maybe I'm just more settled in what I do. I just worked three in a row without dying. There are also plenty of chances to get extra hours. So, while John's in school I could make a bit more monies. Gets me to my Masters faster!
My parents are coming down today! Yay! Very excited. There's a lot here I want to show them.
For some reason my neck really hurts. I might have to blog later. I need a massage, where's my little cat?
We had pizza and watched a movie. It was also great.
But bad. Now I feel sluggish. Today was supposed to be another 4mi that I should have done yesterday. Too bad for me.
The training schedule gives me two days off a week. I just decided to put them together. Oops.
I may have found a running buddy. My preceptor son is a runner and he's willing to show me around some trails. I would love that. There's also a runners group here. Little Rock RoadRunners. I don't know if I'm good enough for a group yet. I've got stubby little legs that don't really like to go faster than 10min/mi.
Finally, a day off. Work is not as stressful here. Maybe I'm just more settled in what I do. I just worked three in a row without dying. There are also plenty of chances to get extra hours. So, while John's in school I could make a bit more monies. Gets me to my Masters faster!
My parents are coming down today! Yay! Very excited. There's a lot here I want to show them.
For some reason my neck really hurts. I might have to blog later. I need a massage, where's my little cat?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010
So I was going to wait until I got my photos back so I could late entry some stuff about what I've been doing. (The fun stuff) but Target didn't develop my photos like they said they would, so....
I'm moving on without them.
I used to blog in the AM because I wake up at freak early and had nothing better to do, however. I started going back to work this morning. So, let me tell you about that.
I usually come home in this surge of adrenaline. No change today. So this post may be kinda similar to my "science rages" (for those of you who have seen that lovely.)
I don't really want to get into too many details (mostly because I've got some FIFA games to get caught up on before I fall asleep) but here's the short of it.
I see lots of room for improvement. Lots.
None of my passwords worked and everything is kept in a locked cabinet of some kind. So that was very frusterating. I felt like my hands were incredibly tied, because I didn't know where anything was. I couldn't do much except watch. Which I guess is to be expected, it was my first day. But I would have liked to do SOMETHING.
Ah well.
Had a wonderful dinner with John, now I feel much better. Sitting on my couch with my cat watching FIFA. I wish FIFA was all year long. Sigh. So happy.
Ah Science and Soccer!
Researchers atNorthwestern University in Evanston, Ill. developed software to evaluate soccer players ability.
Hmm, don't have much.
Best patient of the day was a man who's pacer shocked him twice while having an argument with the repairman about the air conditioner. Every time he told the story he got so mad his pacer would shock him again.
The preceptor I was supposed to be with twitched shifts with someone yesterday so I was with a different nurse than I should be with. It all worked out great though. She was also from Mo, displaced to Ar. So she could tell me all the differences between nursing there vs. here. The best moment is when she told me that it doesn't matter where in Missouri I'm from, to these people I'm a bloody yank and that I shouldn't let these petty southern bitches bother me with their stupid politics.
:D
>:(
I thought the nursing compact between Mo and Ar would let me work here. No. I only have 30 days. Then I thought my 30 days would start either my 1st day of orientation or my 1st day of work. No. I expire on the 30th of this month. I rushed to get my Ar driver's license, and fingerprints friday, tried to get the bank setup Monday and now I work until Thursday. I still have to get a money order and this form notarized. Like any of that will be open after 7pm.
Lets hope this paperwork goes though fast. It will still take 1-2 months to get my background check done, so I'll have to have a temporary permit anyway. That's an extra $25 I didn't want to have to spend...
Bad timing.
Today was my "off" day for marathon training, but I ran 3 mi yesterday.
I'm in the "warm-up" to actual training. 4 weeks of alternating 3 and 4 mi with two off days.
Woohoo.
Man, I really want to play L4D tonight but I know I will fall asleep. Boo.
I'm moving on without them.
I used to blog in the AM because I wake up at freak early and had nothing better to do, however. I started going back to work this morning. So, let me tell you about that.
I usually come home in this surge of adrenaline. No change today. So this post may be kinda similar to my "science rages" (for those of you who have seen that lovely.)
I don't really want to get into too many details (mostly because I've got some FIFA games to get caught up on before I fall asleep) but here's the short of it.
I see lots of room for improvement. Lots.
None of my passwords worked and everything is kept in a locked cabinet of some kind. So that was very frusterating. I felt like my hands were incredibly tied, because I didn't know where anything was. I couldn't do much except watch. Which I guess is to be expected, it was my first day. But I would have liked to do SOMETHING.
Ah well.
Had a wonderful dinner with John, now I feel much better. Sitting on my couch with my cat watching FIFA. I wish FIFA was all year long. Sigh. So happy.
Ah Science and Soccer!
Researchers atNorthwestern University in Evanston, Ill. developed software to evaluate soccer players ability.
Hmm, don't have much.
Best patient of the day was a man who's pacer shocked him twice while having an argument with the repairman about the air conditioner. Every time he told the story he got so mad his pacer would shock him again.
The preceptor I was supposed to be with twitched shifts with someone yesterday so I was with a different nurse than I should be with. It all worked out great though. She was also from Mo, displaced to Ar. So she could tell me all the differences between nursing there vs. here. The best moment is when she told me that it doesn't matter where in Missouri I'm from, to these people I'm a bloody yank and that I shouldn't let these petty southern bitches bother me with their stupid politics.
:D
>:(
I thought the nursing compact between Mo and Ar would let me work here. No. I only have 30 days. Then I thought my 30 days would start either my 1st day of orientation or my 1st day of work. No. I expire on the 30th of this month. I rushed to get my Ar driver's license, and fingerprints friday, tried to get the bank setup Monday and now I work until Thursday. I still have to get a money order and this form notarized. Like any of that will be open after 7pm.
Lets hope this paperwork goes though fast. It will still take 1-2 months to get my background check done, so I'll have to have a temporary permit anyway. That's an extra $25 I didn't want to have to spend...
Bad timing.
Today was my "off" day for marathon training, but I ran 3 mi yesterday.
I'm in the "warm-up" to actual training. 4 weeks of alternating 3 and 4 mi with two off days.
Woohoo.
Man, I really want to play L4D tonight but I know I will fall asleep. Boo.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
RSS Feeds
I was going to make my own video of how to setup a RSS feed, but then I realized that (like nearly everything) someone else has probably already done this for me and posted it to youtube.
I <3 the internetz.
Setting up an RSS
Really great video explaining set up very well, with simple images.
I suggest doing this. It makes my life so much better.
To top off the ease I put a link to GoogleReader on my iphone's home screen!
Ta-Da!
I <3 the internetz.
Setting up an RSS
Really great video explaining set up very well, with simple images.
I suggest doing this. It makes my life so much better.
To top off the ease I put a link to GoogleReader on my iphone's home screen!
Ta-Da!
June 18, 2010
I was an adult and did great things yesterday.
My list has been piling for a long time. I think I'll blame it on the fact that by the time I got out of orientation all last week the offices I needed to visit were closed.
Do you have any idea how much paperwork is required to be a person?
It's crazy. I don't even know what over half of this stuff is, but without it I would not be a person.
So, even though Mo and Ar are compact states (nursing stuff) I can only utilize that "freebie" for 30 days because I've changed my address to Ar.
So I sent off for the forms about 2 weeks ago. (Actually, I sent an email asking what I should do and never heard back until this 6 page document showed up the in mail. Maybe a email response would have been nice too?)
First, I had to get fingerprinted. Luckily, the police department will do this for free, as long as it's before 1630. Then I had to have proof of my new residence. Like a drivers license. So I had to get that. Which means I had to find my passport. Then they didn't want that, they wanted a birth certificate, which had my maiden name, so I had to go back to get my marriage license.
Next I have to get this notarized.
Plus, do I need a new bank now that I've moved? I have to set up direct deposit before the 25th or I won't get paid for another 4 days (check in the mail, take it to a bank, oh wait! Problem loops!) In addition, health insurance through work? Vision and/or dental? PLUS, new CAR insurance for the different state. Condo insurance? Now that we own this place and some pretty sweet items I don't want stuff to happen to it. Oh yea, John has to have a physical exam done so he can prove he's healthy enough for Med School.
Augh!
Well, it's mostly done now. I feel drained. Relieved. But, I've been asking around and searching online for all the stuff one has to do when you move, get a new job, etc. None of this (or the required documents) were mentioned. So, I kinda had this false sense of completion a few days ago, and now there seems to be an ongoing list of stuff to get done.
Like I said, it's pretty difficult to be a person. I have an entire folder dedicated to documents I have about myself proving I am me. Why? This is ridiculous.
In other news.
Here's a glimpse of why I love nature so much.
This is how scientists see the world.
My list has been piling for a long time. I think I'll blame it on the fact that by the time I got out of orientation all last week the offices I needed to visit were closed.
Do you have any idea how much paperwork is required to be a person?
It's crazy. I don't even know what over half of this stuff is, but without it I would not be a person.
So, even though Mo and Ar are compact states (nursing stuff) I can only utilize that "freebie" for 30 days because I've changed my address to Ar.
So I sent off for the forms about 2 weeks ago. (Actually, I sent an email asking what I should do and never heard back until this 6 page document showed up the in mail. Maybe a email response would have been nice too?)
First, I had to get fingerprinted. Luckily, the police department will do this for free, as long as it's before 1630. Then I had to have proof of my new residence. Like a drivers license. So I had to get that. Which means I had to find my passport. Then they didn't want that, they wanted a birth certificate, which had my maiden name, so I had to go back to get my marriage license.
Next I have to get this notarized.
Plus, do I need a new bank now that I've moved? I have to set up direct deposit before the 25th or I won't get paid for another 4 days (check in the mail, take it to a bank, oh wait! Problem loops!) In addition, health insurance through work? Vision and/or dental? PLUS, new CAR insurance for the different state. Condo insurance? Now that we own this place and some pretty sweet items I don't want stuff to happen to it. Oh yea, John has to have a physical exam done so he can prove he's healthy enough for Med School.
Augh!
Well, it's mostly done now. I feel drained. Relieved. But, I've been asking around and searching online for all the stuff one has to do when you move, get a new job, etc. None of this (or the required documents) were mentioned. So, I kinda had this false sense of completion a few days ago, and now there seems to be an ongoing list of stuff to get done.
Like I said, it's pretty difficult to be a person. I have an entire folder dedicated to documents I have about myself proving I am me. Why? This is ridiculous.
In other news.
Here's a glimpse of why I love nature so much.
This is how scientists see the world.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
June 16, 2010
This blogging at the end of the day is really not the best for me.
I keep wanting to talk about THIS day. Instead of the day before, which now I can't remember.
Too much orientation. Most of which I will not be using. There's nothing like sitting through 3 hours of something to hear, "Oh, your department doesn't use this system." Sigh. At least I get paid to sit here.
I've been taking little naps every time I get home from work I am just that drained from doing nothing. I'll eat, take a nap and then wake up and go to the gym. I know it's not the best system and I should change it soon.
Speaking of the gym, John's lost four pounds!
Guess who found them.
Aggravating, but I've never really done any strength training so, it's to be expected. Still. Grr...
I learned that there is a uniform policy. When I interviewed this was one of my direct questions. The answer then was no, the answer now is Ceil Blue.
What is a Ceil? Anyway. I bought some new scrubs. (Whee!!) I'm kinda like a cartoon character in that I like to wear the same thing everyday. It makes life so much easier. So I bought four of this.
I like it. The top isn't so long that I can't reach the pockets. (A situation I've run into before with my stubby arms.)
I've got to get back to doing something with work before I give up on nursing all together! I'm going crazy with all this bs.
In other happier news... um. Can't really think of much. I haven't had a chance to really look at any of my cool internet sites. While I have been browsing the web on my phone non-stop in these silly classes, I can't remember much. I'm one chapter away from the end of The Selfish Gene. Book review to come soon.
I've become a huge fan of GoogleReader. For some silliness I've always been a little afraid of RSS feeds. I don't know why I thought they were difficult or confusing. But now! My eyes have been opened! I strongly suggest if you like browsing the internet or have a few favorite sites you get yourself GoogleReader! Of course if you're a smarty you're already using google for just about everything else.
I say this with 458 unread stories in my feed, but oh well.
And now I am going to run from my problems.
I keep wanting to talk about THIS day. Instead of the day before, which now I can't remember.
Too much orientation. Most of which I will not be using. There's nothing like sitting through 3 hours of something to hear, "Oh, your department doesn't use this system." Sigh. At least I get paid to sit here.
I've been taking little naps every time I get home from work I am just that drained from doing nothing. I'll eat, take a nap and then wake up and go to the gym. I know it's not the best system and I should change it soon.
Speaking of the gym, John's lost four pounds!
Guess who found them.
Aggravating, but I've never really done any strength training so, it's to be expected. Still. Grr...
I learned that there is a uniform policy. When I interviewed this was one of my direct questions. The answer then was no, the answer now is Ceil Blue.
What is a Ceil? Anyway. I bought some new scrubs. (Whee!!) I'm kinda like a cartoon character in that I like to wear the same thing everyday. It makes life so much easier. So I bought four of this.
I like it. The top isn't so long that I can't reach the pockets. (A situation I've run into before with my stubby arms.)
I've got to get back to doing something with work before I give up on nursing all together! I'm going crazy with all this bs.
In other happier news... um. Can't really think of much. I haven't had a chance to really look at any of my cool internet sites. While I have been browsing the web on my phone non-stop in these silly classes, I can't remember much. I'm one chapter away from the end of The Selfish Gene. Book review to come soon.
I've become a huge fan of GoogleReader. For some silliness I've always been a little afraid of RSS feeds. I don't know why I thought they were difficult or confusing. But now! My eyes have been opened! I strongly suggest if you like browsing the internet or have a few favorite sites you get yourself GoogleReader! Of course if you're a smarty you're already using google for just about everything else.
I say this with 458 unread stories in my feed, but oh well.
And now I am going to run from my problems.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 15, 2010
Lazy lazy me
No I didn't get on and blog like I should have, but you wouldn't have
wanted to heard from me yesterday anyway. I was grumpy.
Very grumpy. I couldn't even run. Orientation is killing me. This
sitting around, ugh. I want to do something! So ready to go back to
work. Next week. Yay.
I did learn there is a dress policy. Good thing I didn't stop in
Branson on my way back! Ceil blue. Great, what am i to do with all
these black scrubs? Maybe there's a resale store around here...
I sat through 3 hours of paperwork documentation to learn the ED is
computerized charting! Woohoo! More encouragement that I do NOT want
to be a floor nurse.
I also really want to get my masters and start teaching. Ugh. More
things driving me nuts.
I was in such a terrible mood last night. Didn't want to do anything.
So I didn't. That made it worse.
The good news is this arrived. This is a HUGE Tv.
So what did I do last night? I watched an entire season of Arrested Development and ate too much.
Then I took a shower and fell asleep.
Lazy lazy me.
No I didn't get on and blog like I should have, but you wouldn't have
wanted to heard from me yesterday anyway. I was grumpy.
Very grumpy. I couldn't even run. Orientation is killing me. This
sitting around, ugh. I want to do something! So ready to go back to
work. Next week. Yay.
I did learn there is a dress policy. Good thing I didn't stop in
Branson on my way back! Ceil blue. Great, what am i to do with all
these black scrubs? Maybe there's a resale store around here...
I sat through 3 hours of paperwork documentation to learn the ED is
computerized charting! Woohoo! More encouragement that I do NOT want
to be a floor nurse.
I also really want to get my masters and start teaching. Ugh. More
things driving me nuts.
I was in such a terrible mood last night. Didn't want to do anything.
So I didn't. That made it worse.
The good news is this arrived. This is a HUGE Tv.
So what did I do last night? I watched an entire season of Arrested Development and ate too much.
Then I took a shower and fell asleep.
Lazy lazy me.
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 14, 2010
* Yawn, Stretch, Blink*
What the?
Yes, I just woke up from an afternoon nap.
I didn't mean to take one.
I had orientation from 730-1445. I watched the end of the Paraguay/Italy match. The first half of my long anticipated Germany/Australia match (still haven't finished it) and fell alseep!
What is this silliness? I'm drinking a homemade cappuccino now trying to wake up enough to go to the gym. I haven't been running in a few days and it's driving me nutty. However, in my current state I might fall off the treadmill. (It is WAY to muggy and hot to think about running outside. September is coming though!)
Orientation wasn't bad. Just kinda long and dry. It seemed like it was mostly new grad nurses. I'm just glad I wasn't lumped in with them. Mostly because I have a teal RN badge (Woohoo!) Today was a more "System-Wide" Orientation, so there were people from every department. Tomorrow however, I start off with just other "experienced" nurses (1 year? Seriously?)
I do think I need some new scrubs though. I found some holes in mine in compromising places today. Turns out my big legs wore through the inner thigh on these babies!
John got his packet of UAMS stuff in the mail yesterday. Schedule, book list, supply list. Eep. Good thing we already own a copy of Netters' Anatomy. That is one expensive textbook. Our bills and cash are starting to merge now. One increasing whilst the other decreases. I'll be getting my first paycheck in two weeks and not a moment too soon. So maybe then I can replace some of these thinning pants.
We did receive our washer and dryer today! Again, we measured correctly, but because of "vent placement" or whatever, they still stick out too far out of the closet. So, we had to remove the doors. I'm planning on getting a curtain soon. They do look nice!
What else to post? (now that the caffeine is kicking in)
More than a little nervous to be working for the Catholics, but they assured everyone that while they are a faith-based institution they do not require their patients or employees to share their faith. As long as they are willing to be as compassionate as Jesus Christ.
I think I can handle that.
What the?
Yes, I just woke up from an afternoon nap.
I didn't mean to take one.
I had orientation from 730-1445. I watched the end of the Paraguay/Italy match. The first half of my long anticipated Germany/Australia match (still haven't finished it) and fell alseep!
What is this silliness? I'm drinking a homemade cappuccino now trying to wake up enough to go to the gym. I haven't been running in a few days and it's driving me nutty. However, in my current state I might fall off the treadmill. (It is WAY to muggy and hot to think about running outside. September is coming though!)
Orientation wasn't bad. Just kinda long and dry. It seemed like it was mostly new grad nurses. I'm just glad I wasn't lumped in with them. Mostly because I have a teal RN badge (Woohoo!) Today was a more "System-Wide" Orientation, so there were people from every department. Tomorrow however, I start off with just other "experienced" nurses (1 year? Seriously?)
I do think I need some new scrubs though. I found some holes in mine in compromising places today. Turns out my big legs wore through the inner thigh on these babies!
John got his packet of UAMS stuff in the mail yesterday. Schedule, book list, supply list. Eep. Good thing we already own a copy of Netters' Anatomy. That is one expensive textbook. Our bills and cash are starting to merge now. One increasing whilst the other decreases. I'll be getting my first paycheck in two weeks and not a moment too soon. So maybe then I can replace some of these thinning pants.
We did receive our washer and dryer today! Again, we measured correctly, but because of "vent placement" or whatever, they still stick out too far out of the closet. So, we had to remove the doors. I'm planning on getting a curtain soon. They do look nice!
What else to post? (now that the caffeine is kicking in)
More than a little nervous to be working for the Catholics, but they assured everyone that while they are a faith-based institution they do not require their patients or employees to share their faith. As long as they are willing to be as compassionate as Jesus Christ.
I think I can handle that.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June 13, 2010
So much for consistency.
I traveled back to Missouri this last weekend, this would be the reason for my blogger silence. I just uploaded my pictures and am very saddened to realize I took no pictures of my grandparents, parents siblings, or friends I saw when I visited.
Sigh...
I have pictures of June Bug and some fuzzy long-distance wedding photos.
So here's the story.
John and I drove back 5 hours in a pick-up truck that has no power-steering or AC listening to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (A must read/hear. Very well done.) We had a wonderful dinner with my Parents, Grandparents, Brother, and Sister-in-law. After we sat around and told funny stories about things we should not have gotten away with as kids. John did a great re-telling of the "forks" story which inspired him to possibly write some of these tales down.
It's really interesting to sleep in your old bedroom, especially when it's been repainted with different furniture. It all still feels the same, sort of. My parents made up the room very nicely, with an old antique bed that was my grandfathers. We didn't know if the room would be ready in time because they don't make that size of mattress anymore and they had to have it specially made. So here we were in my old room, with new paint, different furniture all decorated like a sweet country cottage. I throw back the sheets...
Star Wars.
Was not expecting that. Ah well, that's home.
The next morning (My Parents Anniversary!) John and I had breakfast with Brett, Spencer, and Kelly. We were very loud at IHOP and had a great time. We also took about 2.5 hours to eat breakfast. After this we went with my Parents to June Bug. An annual Volkswagon convention. Dad's been wanting to get our old bug running since... well, forever.
My Mom drove a 72 convertible superbeetle in high school, she kept it, then my brother drove it, then I drove it. It's been around a while. Now he's trying to get it restored. We've gone to June Bug several times trying to track down parts and the like. It's usually a bunch of hippies living out of their VW vans selling scrap car parts and showcasing their campers/beeltes/dune buggies. Lots of fun, but very hot and sweaty.
We all returned home to watch the USA/England game with Spencer.
I don't think I have to say anything about that. It's already been all over the news.
That evening we drove an incredibly long and confusing way to see two of our old friends get married. Congrats to Bri and Mitchell. It was a very beautiful wedding at the mouth of a cave with a waterfall. The weather was very kind to everyone in the audience. Kelly was the maid of honor and gave a remarkable speech. I was very impressed. She did a great job.
Kinda wish I had a recording of that.
We drove home the next day in my car, a little silver rocket ship and greatly appreciated the AC. Our lil cat missed us so much. He's been in my face non-stop since we got home.
Really, kinda a poor summary of the trip, but I'm quiet tired. A lot happened and I saw a lot of people I'm going to miss still...
I traveled back to Missouri this last weekend, this would be the reason for my blogger silence. I just uploaded my pictures and am very saddened to realize I took no pictures of my grandparents, parents siblings, or friends I saw when I visited.
Sigh...
I have pictures of June Bug and some fuzzy long-distance wedding photos.
So here's the story.
John and I drove back 5 hours in a pick-up truck that has no power-steering or AC listening to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (A must read/hear. Very well done.) We had a wonderful dinner with my Parents, Grandparents, Brother, and Sister-in-law. After we sat around and told funny stories about things we should not have gotten away with as kids. John did a great re-telling of the "forks" story which inspired him to possibly write some of these tales down.
It's really interesting to sleep in your old bedroom, especially when it's been repainted with different furniture. It all still feels the same, sort of. My parents made up the room very nicely, with an old antique bed that was my grandfathers. We didn't know if the room would be ready in time because they don't make that size of mattress anymore and they had to have it specially made. So here we were in my old room, with new paint, different furniture all decorated like a sweet country cottage. I throw back the sheets...
Star Wars.
Was not expecting that. Ah well, that's home.
The next morning (My Parents Anniversary!) John and I had breakfast with Brett, Spencer, and Kelly. We were very loud at IHOP and had a great time. We also took about 2.5 hours to eat breakfast. After this we went with my Parents to June Bug. An annual Volkswagon convention. Dad's been wanting to get our old bug running since... well, forever.
My Mom drove a 72 convertible superbeetle in high school, she kept it, then my brother drove it, then I drove it. It's been around a while. Now he's trying to get it restored. We've gone to June Bug several times trying to track down parts and the like. It's usually a bunch of hippies living out of their VW vans selling scrap car parts and showcasing their campers/beeltes/dune buggies. Lots of fun, but very hot and sweaty.
We all returned home to watch the USA/England game with Spencer.
I don't think I have to say anything about that. It's already been all over the news.
That evening we drove an incredibly long and confusing way to see two of our old friends get married. Congrats to Bri and Mitchell. It was a very beautiful wedding at the mouth of a cave with a waterfall. The weather was very kind to everyone in the audience. Kelly was the maid of honor and gave a remarkable speech. I was very impressed. She did a great job.
Kinda wish I had a recording of that.
We drove home the next day in my car, a little silver rocket ship and greatly appreciated the AC. Our lil cat missed us so much. He's been in my face non-stop since we got home.
Really, kinda a poor summary of the trip, but I'm quiet tired. A lot happened and I saw a lot of people I'm going to miss still...
Friday, June 11, 2010
June 10, 2010
Somehow I scratched my left eye pretty bad, it hurts occasionally and will tear up.
It should heal pretty quickly, it's just annoying.
My library card finally came in the mail!! I was so anxious, John's came about three days ago. I thought maybe I had put the wrong address or some other various nonsense. When I signed up to vote I wasn't paying attention and checked the box that said I was mentally incompetent. I guess that just goes to show I do know what's going on ;)
I'm starting to get that bored feeling I get when I've been doing the same thing too long. Work cannot start soon enough. I've loved being at home everyday and not really having a schedule, but it's starting to wear on me. I can tell it's starting to wear on John too. He's ok with not having much to do but I'm not. It might be getting on his nerves.
Now that I have a library card though I can reeeeeaaaaad!
People know I have this odd penchant for owls. I can't explain it, but I like them. Well, maybe I can explain in. My great-grandmother also had this thing for owls. I didn't know her that well, but I do remember all the owls in her house. Maybe that's where I get it. Alas. I've been working on my naturalist side by drawing them and learning stuff. I've always been a bit of an ornithologist in my family. (Organizing the "Bird Club" at the age of 5 and making myself President and my Grandfather Vice President because he owned the binoculars.) This is just a chance for me to work on my observation and artistic skills as well.
Not that I'm out looking for owls. They're a bit hard to spot especially within city limits.
Other birds are quite a bit easier. Now I understand why the Mockingbird is the state bird. He's EVERYWHERE! Since he's pretty much the only bird I've seen since moving here, I wonder how he learns his songs...
Every now and then I get the twinge that I should have done something else with my life. Especially with my love of nature and science. My first dream was to be a conservationist, but this was also the dream of a small child. So, as I grew up I chose something more professional. I think once I get back to work I'll remember why I chose nursing. I do remember how much I like having the time to work on my hobbies. Something I would not have otherwise.
I do know I want to go back to school so I can teach. That's a huge goal of mine. I just hope I get the chance to soon. It's in the five year plan.
I'm slowly thinking about maybe sometime in the near future contemplating the possibility of switching my email account. It might be time to put the maiden name to rest. Now is probably the best time seeing as how no one down here knows my by that moniker. I'll put up the "go live" date but, we've got some time still...
I liked Benne, it will be missed.
It should heal pretty quickly, it's just annoying.
My library card finally came in the mail!! I was so anxious, John's came about three days ago. I thought maybe I had put the wrong address or some other various nonsense. When I signed up to vote I wasn't paying attention and checked the box that said I was mentally incompetent. I guess that just goes to show I do know what's going on ;)
I'm starting to get that bored feeling I get when I've been doing the same thing too long. Work cannot start soon enough. I've loved being at home everyday and not really having a schedule, but it's starting to wear on me. I can tell it's starting to wear on John too. He's ok with not having much to do but I'm not. It might be getting on his nerves.
Now that I have a library card though I can reeeeeaaaaad!
People know I have this odd penchant for owls. I can't explain it, but I like them. Well, maybe I can explain in. My great-grandmother also had this thing for owls. I didn't know her that well, but I do remember all the owls in her house. Maybe that's where I get it. Alas. I've been working on my naturalist side by drawing them and learning stuff. I've always been a bit of an ornithologist in my family. (Organizing the "Bird Club" at the age of 5 and making myself President and my Grandfather Vice President because he owned the binoculars.) This is just a chance for me to work on my observation and artistic skills as well.
Not that I'm out looking for owls. They're a bit hard to spot especially within city limits.
Other birds are quite a bit easier. Now I understand why the Mockingbird is the state bird. He's EVERYWHERE! Since he's pretty much the only bird I've seen since moving here, I wonder how he learns his songs...
Every now and then I get the twinge that I should have done something else with my life. Especially with my love of nature and science. My first dream was to be a conservationist, but this was also the dream of a small child. So, as I grew up I chose something more professional. I think once I get back to work I'll remember why I chose nursing. I do remember how much I like having the time to work on my hobbies. Something I would not have otherwise.
I do know I want to go back to school so I can teach. That's a huge goal of mine. I just hope I get the chance to soon. It's in the five year plan.
I'm slowly thinking about maybe sometime in the near future contemplating the possibility of switching my email account. It might be time to put the maiden name to rest. Now is probably the best time seeing as how no one down here knows my by that moniker. I'll put up the "go live" date but, we've got some time still...
I liked Benne, it will be missed.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
June 9, 2010
I'm not quite awake yet.
This is the major problem about blogging first thing in the AM. Still groggy...
We took a bunch of stuff to goodwill yesterday.
John's new school laptop came in the mail.
I made a pizza.
We played Left 4 Dead 2.
I hadn't played in a very long time. I usually get to play when John's not home, and since he's been unemployed (voluntarily) for a while...
Still groggy, with not to much interesting things to write. We watched Arrested Development Season 2 while setting up the laptop. That took most of yesterday afternoon. I (for some dumb reason) ate a lot of saltine crackers with chocolate icing and developed a stomach ache. Go figure.
It's a cheap man's hors'devours.
I miss you guys and will be in Springfield this weekend. I don't know much about my schedule so call me. I do know that FIFA's opening ceremonies start TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!
WAAAHOOOO!
This is the major problem about blogging first thing in the AM. Still groggy...
We took a bunch of stuff to goodwill yesterday.
John's new school laptop came in the mail.
I made a pizza.
We played Left 4 Dead 2.
I hadn't played in a very long time. I usually get to play when John's not home, and since he's been unemployed (voluntarily) for a while...
Still groggy, with not to much interesting things to write. We watched Arrested Development Season 2 while setting up the laptop. That took most of yesterday afternoon. I (for some dumb reason) ate a lot of saltine crackers with chocolate icing and developed a stomach ache. Go figure.
It's a cheap man's hors'devours.
I miss you guys and will be in Springfield this weekend. I don't know much about my schedule so call me. I do know that FIFA's opening ceremonies start TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!
WAAAHOOOO!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 8, 2010
Hey Look!
Over one week of consistent posting! Amazing what being unemployed can do!
Just kidding, I start work next Monday.
However, lets look at what it can do. I'm spending more time reading, playing video games, educating myself in various interests, hanging out with John. Seems pretty good.
There seems to be a secret, hidden Barnes and Nobel here in Little Rock. The iphone seems to think it's somewhere other than it's real location. This made driving there quite difficult. However, it was imperative that we find it.
I finished Richard Dawkins: How a Scientist Changed the Way We Think.
It's a collection of essays (really more like thank you letters) about the book The Selfish Gene and how it inspired an assortment of different people in various fields.
I haven't read The Selfish Gene...
So I booked (ha ha ) it over to Barnes and Nobel and picked myself up a copy. Whee!
Moar Skience!
After this we went to Best Buy to look at new tv stands. I can tell you why on another day.
Dilemma.
I like posting random and funny things that I find online. However, I feel these blog post can get a bit lengthy. Also, I normally write my blog early in the morning and I only have time for about one post a day.
In the past I've been putting the funny links I find up to my facebook feed and leave the blog for one or two goodies as well as my general "life-story" stuff.
Do you people have an opinion as to what I post?
In addition, I love hearing comments back on what I write. Lets me know people read this and I'm not just wasting my time. Let me know what you want more of!
I was almost done until I found this in my googlereader this am.
It's OK to shoot Mexican kids who throw stones.
This is NOT OK.
Read the article and most of the comments. I know there are a lot but these people seem reasonably informed on more of the details of the issue. (As well as a few other sources that covered the same story from different angles.)
I do have to agree though. I don't care exactly what all the details where the point is, he was a kid you were a border agent. You were the adult. He was a teenager. Find a NON-LETHAL way to deal with it.
DON'T KILL CHILDREN.
Augh, makes me so mad.
Over one week of consistent posting! Amazing what being unemployed can do!
Just kidding, I start work next Monday.
However, lets look at what it can do. I'm spending more time reading, playing video games, educating myself in various interests, hanging out with John. Seems pretty good.
There seems to be a secret, hidden Barnes and Nobel here in Little Rock. The iphone seems to think it's somewhere other than it's real location. This made driving there quite difficult. However, it was imperative that we find it.
I finished Richard Dawkins: How a Scientist Changed the Way We Think.
It's a collection of essays (really more like thank you letters) about the book The Selfish Gene and how it inspired an assortment of different people in various fields.
I haven't read The Selfish Gene...
So I booked (ha ha ) it over to Barnes and Nobel and picked myself up a copy. Whee!
Moar Skience!
After this we went to Best Buy to look at new tv stands. I can tell you why on another day.
Dilemma.
I like posting random and funny things that I find online. However, I feel these blog post can get a bit lengthy. Also, I normally write my blog early in the morning and I only have time for about one post a day.
In the past I've been putting the funny links I find up to my facebook feed and leave the blog for one or two goodies as well as my general "life-story" stuff.
Do you people have an opinion as to what I post?
In addition, I love hearing comments back on what I write. Lets me know people read this and I'm not just wasting my time. Let me know what you want more of!
I was almost done until I found this in my googlereader this am.
It's OK to shoot Mexican kids who throw stones.
This is NOT OK.
Read the article and most of the comments. I know there are a lot but these people seem reasonably informed on more of the details of the issue. (As well as a few other sources that covered the same story from different angles.)
I do have to agree though. I don't care exactly what all the details where the point is, he was a kid you were a border agent. You were the adult. He was a teenager. Find a NON-LETHAL way to deal with it.
DON'T KILL CHILDREN.
Augh, makes me so mad.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
June 7, 2010
Another run in with comcast today.
Today was the day we were going to get internet. I know what you're thinking, "How have you been posting without internet?" Well, we had wireless of the cable found in the living room, but the office did not have any sort of cable so we had to wait until they could come back and install the proper cable in the proper room.
That was to be today.
So John woke up and called Comcast to see what time they were coming out to install.
They had no idea what we were talking about. They said to contact our Condo Manager and see what they thought. They said there was a third party that did that, but they had no contact information for them. They did tell us they would come anytime between 9 am and 6 pm. Oh, and we had to be home during that time.
Facepalm.
It was a very long day. We played Tetris, watched Arrested Development, read various books. Actually, it wasn't too different from any other day except there was that feeling of being trapped. Knowing that you couldn't go anywhere...
I made cabbage calzones for lunch. Another home run in the kitchen.
They did eventually show up and drilled a hole and shoved a cable through and then the celebrating began. Very loud celebrating of very fast internet speeds. 26.17 down and 3.56 up.
That's all a heard for quite a while.
So, naturally, John finally got to play Left 4 Dead with his buddies last night. This made him very happy.
He also purchased a laptop for school as soon as it gets here I'll be able to play with them. Eevee (my netbook) just doesn't have the power for a zombie apocalypse.
Lets do some fun stuff.
These may be a bit weak but it's been awhile since I've been smart...
IQ and suicide risk
Medscape article. Let me know if it blocks access...
Basically a cohort of over a million Swedish men and once all the variables were controlled it was determined with a 95% confidence interval that lower IQ was associated with suicide attempt. The authors ruminate on poor coping skills, poor communication skills, However, psychosis did not seem to play a factor.
I've always been a bit intrigued by IQ related studies especially after reading... this one book... whose title escapes me now... dang it... (good story!)
Anyway, it's non-fiction and there are a bunch of "retarded" kids who were basically put in jail so they could not "foul-up" society with their lower IQs. Well, they escape and do just fine. Later it's revealed all sorts of problems with the testing and how IQ is not a valid test etc. etc.
I wonder if they've fixed that.
So, having poor communication and poor logic and reasoning will increase your risk for attempted suicide. This is why I say play tetris!
Here's another
Asteroid collision caught on camera!
Didn't we all learn that the asteroid belt was full of rocks constantly smashing into each other and debris flying everywhere? Didn't you hear that at least once as a kid? Don't fly the spaceship into an ASTEROID BELT! We'll be KILLED!
Well, turns out we've never seen one before, until now. This of course is speculation formed on the evidence left in this photo that suggests (by the way the dust and particles are directed) that two objects hit each other.
WooHoo! Moar Science!
This could be the best part of this post though...
In all the moving my sweet lil cat, Spock, found a new friend living here! John says he sees a goatee on Mirror Mirror Spock. I don't. I think WE have the bad one. MirrorCat must be the good incarnation.
He had already been waving to himself for a while I just had to run and get the camera.
I love how he looks behind the mirror too.
Silly Spock.
Today was the day we were going to get internet. I know what you're thinking, "How have you been posting without internet?" Well, we had wireless of the cable found in the living room, but the office did not have any sort of cable so we had to wait until they could come back and install the proper cable in the proper room.
That was to be today.
So John woke up and called Comcast to see what time they were coming out to install.
They had no idea what we were talking about. They said to contact our Condo Manager and see what they thought. They said there was a third party that did that, but they had no contact information for them. They did tell us they would come anytime between 9 am and 6 pm. Oh, and we had to be home during that time.
Facepalm.
It was a very long day. We played Tetris, watched Arrested Development, read various books. Actually, it wasn't too different from any other day except there was that feeling of being trapped. Knowing that you couldn't go anywhere...
I made cabbage calzones for lunch. Another home run in the kitchen.
They did eventually show up and drilled a hole and shoved a cable through and then the celebrating began. Very loud celebrating of very fast internet speeds. 26.17 down and 3.56 up.
That's all a heard for quite a while.
So, naturally, John finally got to play Left 4 Dead with his buddies last night. This made him very happy.
He also purchased a laptop for school as soon as it gets here I'll be able to play with them. Eevee (my netbook) just doesn't have the power for a zombie apocalypse.
Lets do some fun stuff.
These may be a bit weak but it's been awhile since I've been smart...
IQ and suicide risk
Medscape article. Let me know if it blocks access...
Basically a cohort of over a million Swedish men and once all the variables were controlled it was determined with a 95% confidence interval that lower IQ was associated with suicide attempt. The authors ruminate on poor coping skills, poor communication skills, However, psychosis did not seem to play a factor.
I've always been a bit intrigued by IQ related studies especially after reading... this one book... whose title escapes me now... dang it... (good story!)
Anyway, it's non-fiction and there are a bunch of "retarded" kids who were basically put in jail so they could not "foul-up" society with their lower IQs. Well, they escape and do just fine. Later it's revealed all sorts of problems with the testing and how IQ is not a valid test etc. etc.
I wonder if they've fixed that.
So, having poor communication and poor logic and reasoning will increase your risk for attempted suicide. This is why I say play tetris!
Here's another
Asteroid collision caught on camera!
Didn't we all learn that the asteroid belt was full of rocks constantly smashing into each other and debris flying everywhere? Didn't you hear that at least once as a kid? Don't fly the spaceship into an ASTEROID BELT! We'll be KILLED!
Well, turns out we've never seen one before, until now. This of course is speculation formed on the evidence left in this photo that suggests (by the way the dust and particles are directed) that two objects hit each other.
WooHoo! Moar Science!
This could be the best part of this post though...
In all the moving my sweet lil cat, Spock, found a new friend living here! John says he sees a goatee on Mirror Mirror Spock. I don't. I think WE have the bad one. MirrorCat must be the good incarnation.
He had already been waving to himself for a while I just had to run and get the camera.
I love how he looks behind the mirror too.
Silly Spock.
Monday, June 7, 2010
June 6, 2010
Not everyday has to be super productive.
I did however clean out some old files from our desk.
One of the things I like to do to keep an eye on our finances/plan out our budget is take our bank statements and color highlight the different things we spend money on. Food, House, Gas, Eating Out, Entertainment, and Income are the things I highlight. Then I add up the different categories and see how well or poorly we did. I can also quickly figure out if we're spending more than we're making.
This is just the quick version. When I get more time I also like to break it down more exactly in to an excel spreadsheet.
Miraculously we've come out ahead every month except February this year. I blame the fact that I only got paid once in February and we took a trip to KC.
Last month was a TERRIBLE month for eating out. We were so bad. I'm not going to say how much we spent but. It almost rivaled the previous 4 months total. *sheepish*
Figuring out the budget here, looks like we're gonna be ok. We're not spending too much more here on the mortgage than we did on rent back home. I got nervous because now we don't have John's income. Still, looks good.
Speaking of spending money... do you have any idea how much people want to charge for swimsuits?!?
It's crazy. $50 for half a suit?! No way. Not gonna fall for that crap.
I paid $8. I just hope it doesn't fall to pieces.
I sort of call it the "why bother" swimsuit. After another week at the gym or so it might make an appearance. Might
So why would I purchase such a thing. Meh. I really don't know. What's to stop me? I'm 22 and have always wanted to wear a black bikini. There we're some hilarious designs too. Man, I could have been a James Bond girl, it was ridiculous.
I've decided I might not post EVERY meal I make here. However, some of them are just so darn good.
I was actually inspired by the blog no-meat-athlete. It's nice to be able to find some yummy veggie food that doesn't use hard to find ingredients. Plus, if I can make it, it's not too hard.
These sandwiches were great!
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp honey
1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup shredded radish
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1 baguette or 1/2 loaf french bread
Mayonnaise
Sriracha chili sauce (that red kind with the rooster on it!)
1/4 tsp soy sauce
Cucumber slices
Cilantro (I always use parsley)
Tomato slices
Lettuce
Fried Tofu
I used tofu from the day before, but here's how I made it.
Stir in a small bowl 1 Tbs. whole wheat flour and 1 tsp. garlic powder. add 1/4 block cut up tofu cubes. Heat olive oil in small skillet over medium-high heat saute tofu 3-5 minutes sprinkle with 1/2 tsp soy sauce.
To be honest I never measure anything in the kitchen and I always half recipes. So if the measurements are a bit off or you end up with too much or too little food...Sorry.
To make the sammich!
Combine vinegar honey and red pepper flakes in bowl with carrot and raddish, stir together and let sit for 15-30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 and toast bread lightly.
Spread mayonnaise on bread, sprinkle with chili sauce and soy sauce.
Fill bread with tofu, cucumber, and sprinkle with parsley/cilantro.
Drain the carrot-raddish mixture and put on sammich. Add tomato and lettuce.
Good luck closing the sammich!
If anyone used to work at Subway and could give me some hints as to how they cut their bread so it doesn't lose all the sammich goodies, I'd appreciate it.
I watched The Producers last night. The new one with Matthew Broderick. Great movie. It's always been one of my favorites. Mel Brooks is always good for a laugh.
I'm about to finish that Richard Dawkins book I posted about a few days ago. Maybe a book review in the future? Something cerebral? Nah, maybe not...
I did however clean out some old files from our desk.
One of the things I like to do to keep an eye on our finances/plan out our budget is take our bank statements and color highlight the different things we spend money on. Food, House, Gas, Eating Out, Entertainment, and Income are the things I highlight. Then I add up the different categories and see how well or poorly we did. I can also quickly figure out if we're spending more than we're making.
This is just the quick version. When I get more time I also like to break it down more exactly in to an excel spreadsheet.
Miraculously we've come out ahead every month except February this year. I blame the fact that I only got paid once in February and we took a trip to KC.
Last month was a TERRIBLE month for eating out. We were so bad. I'm not going to say how much we spent but. It almost rivaled the previous 4 months total. *sheepish*
Figuring out the budget here, looks like we're gonna be ok. We're not spending too much more here on the mortgage than we did on rent back home. I got nervous because now we don't have John's income. Still, looks good.
Speaking of spending money... do you have any idea how much people want to charge for swimsuits?!?
It's crazy. $50 for half a suit?! No way. Not gonna fall for that crap.
I paid $8. I just hope it doesn't fall to pieces.
I sort of call it the "why bother" swimsuit. After another week at the gym or so it might make an appearance. Might
So why would I purchase such a thing. Meh. I really don't know. What's to stop me? I'm 22 and have always wanted to wear a black bikini. There we're some hilarious designs too. Man, I could have been a James Bond girl, it was ridiculous.
I've decided I might not post EVERY meal I make here. However, some of them are just so darn good.
I was actually inspired by the blog no-meat-athlete. It's nice to be able to find some yummy veggie food that doesn't use hard to find ingredients. Plus, if I can make it, it's not too hard.
These sandwiches were great!
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp honey
1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup shredded radish
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1 baguette or 1/2 loaf french bread
Mayonnaise
Sriracha chili sauce (that red kind with the rooster on it!)
1/4 tsp soy sauce
Cucumber slices
Cilantro (I always use parsley)
Tomato slices
Lettuce
Fried Tofu
I used tofu from the day before, but here's how I made it.
Stir in a small bowl 1 Tbs. whole wheat flour and 1 tsp. garlic powder. add 1/4 block cut up tofu cubes. Heat olive oil in small skillet over medium-high heat saute tofu 3-5 minutes sprinkle with 1/2 tsp soy sauce.
To be honest I never measure anything in the kitchen and I always half recipes. So if the measurements are a bit off or you end up with too much or too little food...Sorry.
To make the sammich!
Combine vinegar honey and red pepper flakes in bowl with carrot and raddish, stir together and let sit for 15-30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 and toast bread lightly.
Spread mayonnaise on bread, sprinkle with chili sauce and soy sauce.
Fill bread with tofu, cucumber, and sprinkle with parsley/cilantro.
Drain the carrot-raddish mixture and put on sammich. Add tomato and lettuce.
Good luck closing the sammich!
If anyone used to work at Subway and could give me some hints as to how they cut their bread so it doesn't lose all the sammich goodies, I'd appreciate it.
I watched The Producers last night. The new one with Matthew Broderick. Great movie. It's always been one of my favorites. Mel Brooks is always good for a laugh.
I'm about to finish that Richard Dawkins book I posted about a few days ago. Maybe a book review in the future? Something cerebral? Nah, maybe not...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
June 5, 2010
Laundry Day!
We did buy a washer and dryer, but they don't get here until next monday so.... We had to hit the laundromat one more time. In Springfield we mostly did our laundry at our parents house or the laundromat located inside our building. We went to one down the street once in Springfield.
Not a bad experience, but there are definitely social norms that one needs to know before using a laundromat.
I don't know them, I'm just saying they're there.
What do you do when there's ONE wet shirt in a washer? Do you assume the person missed it when they collected their other clothes? Do you leave it? Remove it? When you remove it where do you put it? Everything is covered in lint dust from the dryers. When you're folding laundry how much space on the table is too much?
We played scrabble and watched AeonFlux while our clothes tumbled and mucked about.
All clean!
After this we really didn't want to do much. Again. So, more time spent at the pool reading. I think I'm starting to burn a bit. I like being outside.
We returned to Walmart, one of the bookcases we purchased had a rather large crack in the side. I think I'm starting to phase out of Walmart. The Walmart here is much different from Springfield. I don't really feel that safe and would NEVER go there alone. Much, different. So sorry Walmart, but we're moving on without you. You're creepy here.
More delicious meals today.
Lunch was a spinach and bell pepper pita quesadilla that we ate up before I could snap a picture.
No link but it was so good I'm going to post the recipe
Hummus
1/2 cup clianto (or parsley because I never have cilantro)
2 cloves garlic
1 can cooked, rinsed and drained chickpeas
2 Tbs. Lime juice
2 Tbs. olive oil
Quesadillas
Pita pockets or pitas that you cut in half and open
4 jarred roasted red bell peppers
1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves
Preheat oven to 350. Process garlic and cilantro in food processor. Add chickpeas, lime juice, oil and 1/4 cup water. And puree until creamy.
Place pitas on baking sheet. Spread with hummus, stuff with peppers and spinach. Bake 10 minutes until crisp.
STUFF YOUR FACE!
Seriously, so delicious.
I added a red pepper to the remainder of the hummus and blended it to make red pepper hummus. Yum yum yum!
Dinner was a broccolli bowtie pesto.
I don't think I'm a pesto person. Too nutty for me.
Looks good though.
After dinner I fell asleep reading Dawkins.
Moar good times to come!
Augh!
Before I forget. While cooking dinner I was listening to the Skeptics Guide to the Universe. (One of my favorite podcasts) Something that greatly upset me was a segment they did on a study that showed that people are more likely to trust their friends and neighbors on advice than scientists and experts. Also, that people have an inherent distrust of anything by the government.
Augh. This anti-science movement is really driving me nuts. It just reminds me of the time I heard someone say (in reference to the H1N1 vaccine)
"Well, OF COURSE my infectious disease doctor wants me to get vaccinated."
Do you think that could be because he's an expert in that field?
Seriously people, what is the point of going to school and busting it for so long just to have the common layman blow you off since Becky from down the street doesn't think it's necessary.
Does Becky have any idea what she's talking about? No. Don't listen to her.
If something feels off to you about a study research it yourself.
And that's the rant.
We did buy a washer and dryer, but they don't get here until next monday so.... We had to hit the laundromat one more time. In Springfield we mostly did our laundry at our parents house or the laundromat located inside our building. We went to one down the street once in Springfield.
Not a bad experience, but there are definitely social norms that one needs to know before using a laundromat.
I don't know them, I'm just saying they're there.
What do you do when there's ONE wet shirt in a washer? Do you assume the person missed it when they collected their other clothes? Do you leave it? Remove it? When you remove it where do you put it? Everything is covered in lint dust from the dryers. When you're folding laundry how much space on the table is too much?
We played scrabble and watched AeonFlux while our clothes tumbled and mucked about.
All clean!
After this we really didn't want to do much. Again. So, more time spent at the pool reading. I think I'm starting to burn a bit. I like being outside.
We returned to Walmart, one of the bookcases we purchased had a rather large crack in the side. I think I'm starting to phase out of Walmart. The Walmart here is much different from Springfield. I don't really feel that safe and would NEVER go there alone. Much, different. So sorry Walmart, but we're moving on without you. You're creepy here.
More delicious meals today.
Lunch was a spinach and bell pepper pita quesadilla that we ate up before I could snap a picture.
No link but it was so good I'm going to post the recipe
Hummus
1/2 cup clianto (or parsley because I never have cilantro)
2 cloves garlic
1 can cooked, rinsed and drained chickpeas
2 Tbs. Lime juice
2 Tbs. olive oil
Quesadillas
Pita pockets or pitas that you cut in half and open
4 jarred roasted red bell peppers
1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves
Preheat oven to 350. Process garlic and cilantro in food processor. Add chickpeas, lime juice, oil and 1/4 cup water. And puree until creamy.
Place pitas on baking sheet. Spread with hummus, stuff with peppers and spinach. Bake 10 minutes until crisp.
STUFF YOUR FACE!
Seriously, so delicious.
I added a red pepper to the remainder of the hummus and blended it to make red pepper hummus. Yum yum yum!
Dinner was a broccolli bowtie pesto.
I don't think I'm a pesto person. Too nutty for me.
Looks good though.
After dinner I fell asleep reading Dawkins.
Moar good times to come!
Augh!
Before I forget. While cooking dinner I was listening to the Skeptics Guide to the Universe. (One of my favorite podcasts) Something that greatly upset me was a segment they did on a study that showed that people are more likely to trust their friends and neighbors on advice than scientists and experts. Also, that people have an inherent distrust of anything by the government.
Augh. This anti-science movement is really driving me nuts. It just reminds me of the time I heard someone say (in reference to the H1N1 vaccine)
"Well, OF COURSE my infectious disease doctor wants me to get vaccinated."
Do you think that could be because he's an expert in that field?
Seriously people, what is the point of going to school and busting it for so long just to have the common layman blow you off since Becky from down the street doesn't think it's necessary.
Does Becky have any idea what she's talking about? No. Don't listen to her.
If something feels off to you about a study research it yourself.
And that's the rant.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
June 4, 2010
Whee!
Another wonderful day here.
I woke up early (as is my habit, normally 0630) and began tinkering around with THIS.
Isn't is beautiful. It's my drink station! John built this for me. It holds my coffee, cookbooks, and various other things. I love it. It looks really great in the living room. It also saves me a couple of steps when I'm reading on the couch and need a caffeine fix. I'm enjoying a cup from it right now!
Worked out at the gym today! So great. They've got some "basic 8" thing I'm trying but I modified the last few exercises so it's more geared toward my "personal preferences." Anyone who has looked (few I'm sure) knows I don't need to work out my calves. I inherited my Dad's legs. He won a "Best Legs" contest in college. I think he received a years supply of Leggs pantyhose...
ANYWAY.
We joined the public library today. I meant to take pictures but didn't. I will on my return trip though. We were allowed to check out one item per card at a time until our cards come in. So difficult!
This library is great. They had a lot of things I would be interested in. It was very very difficult to decide on my one item until John located this.
I have a bad habit of stalking scientists and reading as much as possible about them in a short period. Right now it's Dawkins, but I don't think I'll ever read everything about him. I don't have that long of a life span! If you don't know (I'm just throwing it out there) He's a brilliant (personal opinion) evolutionary biologist who has written several books and made vast advancements in the realm of science, logic, and reasoning.
That made my choice a little easier.
I made more delicious food today!
Lunch was this grilled veggie wrap. Asparagus and red bell peppers, yum yum!
Dinner was roasted sweet and sour hawaiian pineapples and bellpeppers over rice. Scarfed that!
We also watched a fantastic movie that I would almost recommend except it was very frightening and brutal. It's was Das Experiment. It was based on the Stanford Prison Experiment. Except, while the real experiment was terminated after 4 days, this one continues. Very scary what people are capable of doing. It was excellent, but like I said I don't know if I can really recommend it to too many people. It's a bit dark. Not at all a happy movie, but it's based on truth.
After that we fell asleep watching funny youtube videos.
This one I think wins. (Language, but if you have headphones or are not were you're going to offend someone. So worth the time.)
Sigh, freeze pops.
Another wonderful day here.
I woke up early (as is my habit, normally 0630) and began tinkering around with THIS.
Isn't is beautiful. It's my drink station! John built this for me. It holds my coffee, cookbooks, and various other things. I love it. It looks really great in the living room. It also saves me a couple of steps when I'm reading on the couch and need a caffeine fix. I'm enjoying a cup from it right now!Worked out at the gym today! So great. They've got some "basic 8" thing I'm trying but I modified the last few exercises so it's more geared toward my "personal preferences." Anyone who has looked (few I'm sure) knows I don't need to work out my calves. I inherited my Dad's legs. He won a "Best Legs" contest in college. I think he received a years supply of Leggs pantyhose...
ANYWAY.
We joined the public library today. I meant to take pictures but didn't. I will on my return trip though. We were allowed to check out one item per card at a time until our cards come in. So difficult!
This library is great. They had a lot of things I would be interested in. It was very very difficult to decide on my one item until John located this.
I have a bad habit of stalking scientists and reading as much as possible about them in a short period. Right now it's Dawkins, but I don't think I'll ever read everything about him. I don't have that long of a life span! If you don't know (I'm just throwing it out there) He's a brilliant (personal opinion) evolutionary biologist who has written several books and made vast advancements in the realm of science, logic, and reasoning.That made my choice a little easier.
I made more delicious food today!
Lunch was this grilled veggie wrap. Asparagus and red bell peppers, yum yum!
Dinner was roasted sweet and sour hawaiian pineapples and bellpeppers over rice. Scarfed that!
We also watched a fantastic movie that I would almost recommend except it was very frightening and brutal. It's was Das Experiment. It was based on the Stanford Prison Experiment. Except, while the real experiment was terminated after 4 days, this one continues. Very scary what people are capable of doing. It was excellent, but like I said I don't know if I can really recommend it to too many people. It's a bit dark. Not at all a happy movie, but it's based on truth.
After that we fell asleep watching funny youtube videos.
This one I think wins. (Language, but if you have headphones or are not were you're going to offend someone. So worth the time.)
Sigh, freeze pops.
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 3, 2010
Ah, another full and productive day.
I can't wait until I get these books unpacked then I'll have something else to do and I'll quit being so industrious.
I did another great thing today.
I bought groceries!
Whee!!
It was GREAT! Phew, a lot of work and it took every green bag I own stuffed to the top but I did it. I filled up my fridge with the yummiest!
It took a bit of time. Since we had nothing I had to read my cookbooks to discover what we wanted to eat for the next week or so. After writing all that down we were off to the supermarket.A full refrigerator makes me happy.
After this trip I was able to make my first meal in my new condo.
A Stirfried Tofu with sesame noodles and ginger carrot-broccoli.
Yum yum yum.
John and I then watched Murder on the Orient Express. What a fantastic movie. We tried to recast it using modern actors, but these people were so great, it was difficult. Most actors today seem too young to play these roles. If you've never seen it, it's fantastic!
I can't wait until I get these books unpacked then I'll have something else to do and I'll quit being so industrious.
I did another great thing today.
I bought groceries!
Whee!!
It was GREAT! Phew, a lot of work and it took every green bag I own stuffed to the top but I did it. I filled up my fridge with the yummiest!
It took a bit of time. Since we had nothing I had to read my cookbooks to discover what we wanted to eat for the next week or so. After writing all that down we were off to the supermarket.A full refrigerator makes me happy.
After this trip I was able to make my first meal in my new condo.
A Stirfried Tofu with sesame noodles and ginger carrot-broccoli.
Yum yum yum.
John and I then watched Murder on the Orient Express. What a fantastic movie. We tried to recast it using modern actors, but these people were so great, it was difficult. Most actors today seem too young to play these roles. If you've never seen it, it's fantastic!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 2, 2010
June 2, 2010
Meep! I woke up to a fitness profile this morning at 8am. We drove the 2 minutes down the street to our new gym and Devon (I think) tested our fitness. Turns out I suck. I've got great flexibility and cardio but terrible strength. Not a big shocker. I knew my BMI was high but luckily for me if I lose about 5 lbs I'll be back in the average category.
I really like this new gym it's very clean and organized. It's only been open since January so all the equipment is very smooth.
I relaxed at the pool today. So nice. I love sitting by pools and listening to podcasts. I enjoyed the Nature podcast from May 20th and burned myself just a little bit. Not much. Some cool stuff about discovering what fMRIs actually look at using light activated neurons. Yay!
After this I took a nap. Phew, heat makes me tired.
EXCITEMENT!
I LIT a CANDLE TODAY!
This makes me very happy. It has been a long time since I could light a candle. Apartments don't like candles so it's been more than 2 years. So with great excitement I lit one, just because I could.
Then we left and I forgot about it, so it was burning unsupervised (exception of the sharp eye of lil cat.)
We bought some new towels today, ones that match the bathroom and are not all moldy and smelly from the move. We also organized the back room and living room.
The guy from Comcast came and after several weird incidents got the internet mostly working.
Turns out the cable in the office isn't really connected to anything, it's just there. So he set up the wireless off the cable in the living room. They're going to come Monday to run a wire back to the office. So Eevee (my netbook) and the Wii have internet but John's computer does not :b
We had a very nice dinner at Olive Garden. I should recommend the Seafood Brodetto. Yummy.
The house is almost entirely done. All we have left to unpack are the books. Alas, we got rid of our old bookcases so, they won't be unpacked until we buy new ones.
It's on the list.
Sorry about all these, what I would call boring posts. Nothing cool or science-y to discuss just me rambling about moving and unpacking etc. Cool stuff soon.
I found a bunch of pictures of stuff I did a while ago in Springfield and the like. Maybe some backposts about that stuff too.
More later!
This is walking outside around my condo. It's so pretty. I tell people it's like living in the Nature Center. So many trees. I've got a little Treehouse!!
Meep! I woke up to a fitness profile this morning at 8am. We drove the 2 minutes down the street to our new gym and Devon (I think) tested our fitness. Turns out I suck. I've got great flexibility and cardio but terrible strength. Not a big shocker. I knew my BMI was high but luckily for me if I lose about 5 lbs I'll be back in the average category.
I really like this new gym it's very clean and organized. It's only been open since January so all the equipment is very smooth.
I relaxed at the pool today. So nice. I love sitting by pools and listening to podcasts. I enjoyed the Nature podcast from May 20th and burned myself just a little bit. Not much. Some cool stuff about discovering what fMRIs actually look at using light activated neurons. Yay!
After this I took a nap. Phew, heat makes me tired.
EXCITEMENT!
I LIT a CANDLE TODAY!
This makes me very happy. It has been a long time since I could light a candle. Apartments don't like candles so it's been more than 2 years. So with great excitement I lit one, just because I could.
Then we left and I forgot about it, so it was burning unsupervised (exception of the sharp eye of lil cat.)
We bought some new towels today, ones that match the bathroom and are not all moldy and smelly from the move. We also organized the back room and living room.
The guy from Comcast came and after several weird incidents got the internet mostly working.
Turns out the cable in the office isn't really connected to anything, it's just there. So he set up the wireless off the cable in the living room. They're going to come Monday to run a wire back to the office. So Eevee (my netbook) and the Wii have internet but John's computer does not :b
We had a very nice dinner at Olive Garden. I should recommend the Seafood Brodetto. Yummy.
The house is almost entirely done. All we have left to unpack are the books. Alas, we got rid of our old bookcases so, they won't be unpacked until we buy new ones.
It's on the list.
Sorry about all these, what I would call boring posts. Nothing cool or science-y to discuss just me rambling about moving and unpacking etc. Cool stuff soon.
I found a bunch of pictures of stuff I did a while ago in Springfield and the like. Maybe some backposts about that stuff too.
More later!
This is walking outside around my condo. It's so pretty. I tell people it's like living in the Nature Center. So many trees. I've got a little Treehouse!!
June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
After that we had breakfast. It’s been weird for me to eat out so much. I’ve had approx. 3 meals at home in the past two weeks. Now that I have everything unpacked I just have to make a trip to the grocery store. Let’s see how home cooking goes now that I’ve been out of practice for three weeks…
For breakfast today we had Subway. Wow, Subway has some good breakfasts. I ate a white omelet on flatbread with white cheese (plus as much spinach, tomato, and banana peppers as possible) Pretty delicious I have to say. Surprisingly so.
Next up, to get teh intrawebz.
Comcast is pretty much the only game in town. John researched and searched and while they suck, he says they’re loads faster than the other guy (I don’t even know who the other guy is.) Turns out Comcast has a very sucky reputation as far as customer service goes. So we were well prepared for it to go horribly wrong.
Good thing too.
John called their office yesterday and found out about their plans, set up to have a guy come install on Wednesday, and found out where to buy a cable modem. (we were not going to rent from them at $5 a month) He was pulling out his debt card when the lady said they couldn’t accept payments over the phone, you had to go to their office and pay in person. Weird, but whatever. Because they were already closed by this time we were going to go Tuesday. Great, hang up. Move on.
Now, Tuesday had arrived and we showed up at Comcast around 10 am. There was already a line to the door. John warned me and we were both wary of what to expect. The inside was clean, nicely decorated, three counters with two tellers. The line was about 10 people deep or so. They had a large screen TV so one had something to look at. However, I played scrabble with Mandy (beating you pretty good this time, eh?)
I eavesdropped a little on the people in front of us. One guy had bought a new trailer and needed the box turned back on.
“So change of address?”
“No, same location, different trailer.”
“New room installation?”
“Well, the whole thing is new.”
“So you have to sign up for a secondary box.”
“No, I only need one, and I have it. I just need it turned back on.”
“Reactivation?”
“No, it works, just the power to it was turned off when they changed trailers.”
“You see sir, I have these choices on the computer and if it doesn’t fit in one of them I can’t do it.”
That was nice to hear.
Then the guy right in front of us was turned away to go back home and call tech support because they couldn’t help him there either.
Then it was our turn. The lady just opened the third counter. I was happy, maybe she didn’t have time to be grumpy from being at work yet. She got our name and we told her we were there to drop off a payment, we had called yesterday and set up an appointment for installation. I figured we’d be swiping a debt card a leaving. Then she asked us how much they said we had to pay. John told her what plan we were purchasing.
“But, how much did they say to pay?”
“Don’t you have that written down somewhere?”
Large sigh. “Look, we have a lot of plans.”
Blank stare from us.
She began digging around in the desk and pulls out a pamphlet with the different plans.
Then she and John argue abit about what plan it really is. They’ve got all these weird names like Ultra and Buzz, and Blast that give no indication about speed or other specifications. She kept asking us if the person on the phone had said this word or that word. I wanted to say, look isn’t this a computer company, don’t you have this in your computer system somehow? John sort of figured out what plan it was after reading the pamphlet and began to pay for it. Then she said,
“Well, you’d better hope you’re right, because if they come out and it’s wrong they won’t do it.”
So I asked, “What do they check it against?”
“What?”
“what do they check it against to know if it’s right?”
“Oh, they have these codes in the computer.”
“Can’t you check what we ordered against the code so we know the correct price.”
“No, I don’t know how.”
Blank Stare.
Well, anyway. We finally finished up there, seriously questioning the ability of our new internet providers. Gulp, we’ll see what happens at installation. Good thing John won’t have to ask too many questions about the service.
After that John had a nice surprise for me. He drove me to snap fitness and signed us up for the rest of the summer. Yay! It’s a brand new (opened in Jan.) 24/7 gym that’s two minutes from our house if we hit the light wrong. So excited. We have a fitness profile test tomorrow morning to see where we stand. It’s a lot easier to sign up for a gym than it is to sign up for internet.
We unpacked a lot more once we got home, finished the living room and then spent sometime just relaxing. That was great. John took about a three hour nap and I typed up a bunch of blog posts. Part of the mega update.
I finally woke him up at 2030 to ask what his thoughts were on dinner. Because I was hungry and there were NO snacks or foods. We went to Outback on a gift card.
I had never eaten at Outback either. Delicious! That bloomin’ onion was a great idea.
We had a fantastic waiter who gave great recommendations and was no rush at all.
We split a Shrimp de Fuego Fettuccini (or some combination of those words) amazing. Just a little spicy and very very yummy.
Lil cat says hi!
Part Seven: New Life
Part Seven: New Life
Yes, I’m choking a little at this post. We woke up May 31, 2010, our two year anniversary, totally alone in a new town with all our things in boxes and completely separate from everyone we’ve ever known.
It was GREAT!
Just kidding. We painted cabinets, walls, unpacked and generally had a great time stressing about how to fit the pots under the sink.
This is the kitchen before we moved in.
Completed project!
Here's the halfway point.
Now, let me tell you a little something about Refridgerators...
Ahem. They're big and heavy.
We found this fridge on clearance because it was a discontinued model. Great specifications, energy efficent, right color, ice maker, side by side doors, right size. (Or so we thought)
We decided to take it home that day and not wait for delivery. It's been two weeks since I've cooked, having no food in the house is not fun. John wanted that fridge. So, we bought it, packed it in the back of the truck strapped it down and I very carefully drove home.
We got out the dolly and with a lot of sweat and fear got it halfway up the stairs. Then it got stuck.
Very stuck. We couldn't fit the dolly and the fridge around the landing! We were 7 stairs away from success! We tried all kinds of tricks, nothing was working. So I called a moving company and explained that we needed to move one fridge up 7 stairs, could they help? The answer is yes. I had forgotten that it was Memorial Day but this guy showed up within the hour (he was at the grocery store) picked up the fridge (Yes, PICKED IT UP) and carried it into the kitchen.
Then it didn't fit. The measurements the store had posted on it were wrong. So John tore the baseboard off the wall and we pushed as hard as we could.
Ta-DA! New fridge!
Ta-DA! New fridge!
Part Six: The Move
Here was the game plan
John would take his car plus Brett and Spencer (and the cat!)
I would drive my Dad’s truck with Kelly and keep it for a few weeks while we bought furniture.
John’s Mom would drive down to visit Ms. Susan and provide a ride back for the Springfieldians.
My Dad and Mom would drive the uhaul full of our stuff.
My Grandma would take her RV so my Mom and Dad would have a place to sleep.
Phew, it was quiet a caravan. Not to mention my truck had no AC.
We met at ihop that morning. So John could say goodbye to his Dad and I to my brother.
After a good large breakfast we cram in and start driving.
So many little towns each with a population of about 96.
We made it finally. No wrong turns, one missed lunch (per the boys) and lots of sweat in the truck.
Now the real work began.
Kelly and my Mom took the cabinets apart.
The boys unloaded everything.
I directed traffic.
So much traffic.
I had no idea I owned so much stuff!!
Meagh…
We got it all in though. Now it was time for dinner.
We enjoyed a great time at Browning’s a Mexican restaurant.
I’m sure Brett’s having fun too. He’s just bad at showing it.
The real party was back at the Condo once we were all done.
Sadly, (actually, it’s probably a good thing) those pictures are also on said camera that we do not have a transfer cable for.
They will be up later as well.
The next morning we lounged around the cramped condo, ate a big breakfast that John and I snuck out and bought and then it was time to say goodbye again.
Spencer, thanks for making the last week in Springfield so great. You were such a great help moving. Totally unexpected. Luckily, there’s the internet so we can stay in contact. You’re a great friend and it’s almost creepy how well we all got along so fast. You’re not a serial killer are you? Even so, thanks for all the fun times.
Brett, oh geez. How and what do I say as a good bye to you? We’ve been in pseudo competition over John for so long, I’ll miss having you to fight with. It’s been great. There are not enough things to say to you. I’m really going to miss you. Glad we got to have a party that last night.
Kelly, you’re family, you don’t get a goodbye. But remember who loves you THAT much. (ps. We bought new towels and bed spread)
Here was the game plan
John would take his car plus Brett and Spencer (and the cat!)
I would drive my Dad’s truck with Kelly and keep it for a few weeks while we bought furniture.
John’s Mom would drive down to visit Ms. Susan and provide a ride back for the Springfieldians.
My Dad and Mom would drive the uhaul full of our stuff.
My Grandma would take her RV so my Mom and Dad would have a place to sleep.
Phew, it was quiet a caravan. Not to mention my truck had no AC.
We met at ihop that morning. So John could say goodbye to his Dad and I to my brother.
After a good large breakfast we cram in and start driving.
So many little towns each with a population of about 96.
We made it finally. No wrong turns, one missed lunch (per the boys) and lots of sweat in the truck.
Now the real work began.
Kelly and my Mom took the cabinets apart.
The boys unloaded everything.
I directed traffic.
So much traffic.
I had no idea I owned so much stuff!!
Meagh…
We got it all in though. Now it was time for dinner.
We enjoyed a great time at Browning’s a Mexican restaurant.I’m sure Brett’s having fun too. He’s just bad at showing it.
The real party was back at the Condo once we were all done.
Sadly, (actually, it’s probably a good thing) those pictures are also on said camera that we do not have a transfer cable for.
They will be up later as well.
The next morning we lounged around the cramped condo, ate a big breakfast that John and I snuck out and bought and then it was time to say goodbye again.
Spencer, thanks for making the last week in Springfield so great. You were such a great help moving. Totally unexpected. Luckily, there’s the internet so we can stay in contact. You’re a great friend and it’s almost creepy how well we all got along so fast. You’re not a serial killer are you? Even so, thanks for all the fun times.
Brett, oh geez. How and what do I say as a good bye to you? We’ve been in pseudo competition over John for so long, I’ll miss having you to fight with. It’s been great. There are not enough things to say to you. I’m really going to miss you. Glad we got to have a party that last night.
Kelly, you’re family, you don’t get a goodbye. But remember who loves you THAT much. (ps. We bought new towels and bed spread)
Part Five: The Final Countdown
Part Five: The Final Countdown
So, after working my final 12 hour at Cox ER. I come home to nothing.
The boys had spent all day packing a uhaul to be ready to depart tomorrow morning.
So John and I sat on the floor.
“What do you want to eat for your last night in Springfield?”
“What else? Chinese!”
We drove though Cashew Station (Yep, that little white shack on Battlefield) then back to the apartment to have a picnic on the floor.
Spencer showed up and Brett and Micah joined us not long later. We got too loud, ate Andy’s Frozen Custard then off to Phil’s for a final round of Arkham Horror.
We got back to the apartment around 1 am. To fall asleep on the floor. Totally prepared to uhaul it to Arkansas the next morning.
So, after working my final 12 hour at Cox ER. I come home to nothing.
The boys had spent all day packing a uhaul to be ready to depart tomorrow morning.
So John and I sat on the floor.
“What do you want to eat for your last night in Springfield?”
“What else? Chinese!”
We drove though Cashew Station (Yep, that little white shack on Battlefield) then back to the apartment to have a picnic on the floor.
Spencer showed up and Brett and Micah joined us not long later. We got too loud, ate Andy’s Frozen Custard then off to Phil’s for a final round of Arkham Horror.
We got back to the apartment around 1 am. To fall asleep on the floor. Totally prepared to uhaul it to Arkansas the next morning.
Part Four: So Long and Thanks for all the Fish.
Part Four: So Long and Thanks for all the Fish.
Saying goodbye it not something I’m good at. I’m not sure what to say. I love people dearly, but I just suck at saying so. I don’t want to leave them. I don’t want things to be final so maybe if I sneak off without saying it, they’ll not remember I’m gone and… well. Who knows?
ANYWAY. I sent out the message that I was leaving within two weeks and waited to hear when my friends were free. About this time my sister (in-law) came back from London where she had been studying abroad for 6 months. (That was a killer, she’s like the only sane person I really know) So I crammed Kelly time in as much as possible. In the mean time John decides to attend a D&D session at Metagames to get more time with Phil and Brett. While there me meets Spencer, who comes to our next weekly session at Phil’s house. I just have to say terrible timing. Meeting such a cool guy so close to “deadline.”
Finally, with four days to spare I get a call from JT, he’s free the next night. I text Aron and Scott they’re free too. Excellent. I set up a party time! Sadly the photos from this gathering are on a camera to which the transfer device is still packed. They will be up eventually. On a whim we invite Spencer as well. Sure why not. Perfect idea.
However, JT was in Mountain Home and experiencing car trouble. I cannot explain how touched I am that he sped back to Springfield in a car with flattening tires to say goodbye to me. The evening was everything I could have asked for. Playing wii bowling, Super Mario Bros, hanging out, a short D&D encounter, couple of lame movies. Thanks guys, you really mean so much to me. (Here’s my sucky goodbyes again)
Scott, you know you’ve been my best friend forever. We both got a little crazy in college and changed leading separate lives, but then we changed back to being together again. I wanted you to know I hated myself separate from you and have always wanted things to stay like they were in 5th grade when we’d cause mayhem all over the Ozarks.
Aron, it’s been great knowing you. You’re hilarious and keep me in stitches. When we get in our “science-rages” heaven help whoever is within earshot! Keep making the face book posts and help me retain my sanity.
JT, one of the best decisions I ever made was to talk to you in ENG 110. You know you opened a whole new world to me. I just want to sing the Aladdin duet with you as proof, but you’d make me look so bad. Maybe I’ll lipsync instead. Seriously, you’re such a great guy. I’ll miss you.
I can’t wait for you all to visit me down here.
So many people nearly made be cry at work. Hugging Sherilyn was about the worst. She was the best housekeeper I’ve ever seen, super fast, incredibly nice and simply a wise person. She helped John get out of his shell while he was volunteering and made me feel so welcome as a new person. She was both a surrogate grandmother that would give me advice and a good enough friend that I could sit and watch 30 minutes of Superbad on break without feeling weird having her laugh with me. I’ll miss how patient she was and simply seeing her around.
Joe came in on his day off, my last day and hung around to give me a goodbye card. I was shocked! I thought he was hanging around to pick up his paycheck! I’d only known Joe a few months, but we worked great together. I’ll miss how helpful he was, his constant upbeat attitude and all the practical jokes I had to be wary of while he was around. Thanks friend.
I’ll also remember how Dr. Ross paged me to the nurses station so he could say goodbye before he left for the day. He’s a UAMS alumni and took an interest in John’s pursuits there.
I wish I had the chance to tell Dr. Brady goodbye a final time. He gave me a lot of advice on Arkansas, having gone to UAMS himself as well.
I’ll miss everyone, but wanted to give a couple extra shout outs!
Ferhon, you always saved me and never complained about all the extra lab draws or silly questions.
Danielle, you were so great to work with and kept things real for me.
Jen, it was so much fun being around you I can’t believe they split us up there at the end. Probably didn’t want to make everyone else look bad.
Eric, thanks for all you taught me. It was crazy and sometimes scary to work with you because I knew I’d get drilled on everything, but it was great and I grew to enjoy it. Now, I’ll miss it!
I kinda feel bad about not writing to everyone but I’m sure everyone else reading this is getting tired of it.
Besides there’s more in Part Five
Saying goodbye it not something I’m good at. I’m not sure what to say. I love people dearly, but I just suck at saying so. I don’t want to leave them. I don’t want things to be final so maybe if I sneak off without saying it, they’ll not remember I’m gone and… well. Who knows?
ANYWAY. I sent out the message that I was leaving within two weeks and waited to hear when my friends were free. About this time my sister (in-law) came back from London where she had been studying abroad for 6 months. (That was a killer, she’s like the only sane person I really know) So I crammed Kelly time in as much as possible. In the mean time John decides to attend a D&D session at Metagames to get more time with Phil and Brett. While there me meets Spencer, who comes to our next weekly session at Phil’s house. I just have to say terrible timing. Meeting such a cool guy so close to “deadline.”
Finally, with four days to spare I get a call from JT, he’s free the next night. I text Aron and Scott they’re free too. Excellent. I set up a party time! Sadly the photos from this gathering are on a camera to which the transfer device is still packed. They will be up eventually. On a whim we invite Spencer as well. Sure why not. Perfect idea.
However, JT was in Mountain Home and experiencing car trouble. I cannot explain how touched I am that he sped back to Springfield in a car with flattening tires to say goodbye to me. The evening was everything I could have asked for. Playing wii bowling, Super Mario Bros, hanging out, a short D&D encounter, couple of lame movies. Thanks guys, you really mean so much to me. (Here’s my sucky goodbyes again)
Scott, you know you’ve been my best friend forever. We both got a little crazy in college and changed leading separate lives, but then we changed back to being together again. I wanted you to know I hated myself separate from you and have always wanted things to stay like they were in 5th grade when we’d cause mayhem all over the Ozarks.
Aron, it’s been great knowing you. You’re hilarious and keep me in stitches. When we get in our “science-rages” heaven help whoever is within earshot! Keep making the face book posts and help me retain my sanity.
JT, one of the best decisions I ever made was to talk to you in ENG 110. You know you opened a whole new world to me. I just want to sing the Aladdin duet with you as proof, but you’d make me look so bad. Maybe I’ll lipsync instead. Seriously, you’re such a great guy. I’ll miss you.
I can’t wait for you all to visit me down here.
So many people nearly made be cry at work. Hugging Sherilyn was about the worst. She was the best housekeeper I’ve ever seen, super fast, incredibly nice and simply a wise person. She helped John get out of his shell while he was volunteering and made me feel so welcome as a new person. She was both a surrogate grandmother that would give me advice and a good enough friend that I could sit and watch 30 minutes of Superbad on break without feeling weird having her laugh with me. I’ll miss how patient she was and simply seeing her around.
Joe came in on his day off, my last day and hung around to give me a goodbye card. I was shocked! I thought he was hanging around to pick up his paycheck! I’d only known Joe a few months, but we worked great together. I’ll miss how helpful he was, his constant upbeat attitude and all the practical jokes I had to be wary of while he was around. Thanks friend.
I’ll also remember how Dr. Ross paged me to the nurses station so he could say goodbye before he left for the day. He’s a UAMS alumni and took an interest in John’s pursuits there.
I wish I had the chance to tell Dr. Brady goodbye a final time. He gave me a lot of advice on Arkansas, having gone to UAMS himself as well.
I’ll miss everyone, but wanted to give a couple extra shout outs!
Ferhon, you always saved me and never complained about all the extra lab draws or silly questions.
Danielle, you were so great to work with and kept things real for me.
Jen, it was so much fun being around you I can’t believe they split us up there at the end. Probably didn’t want to make everyone else look bad.
Eric, thanks for all you taught me. It was crazy and sometimes scary to work with you because I knew I’d get drilled on everything, but it was great and I grew to enjoy it. Now, I’ll miss it!
I kinda feel bad about not writing to everyone but I’m sure everyone else reading this is getting tired of it.
Besides there’s more in Part Five
Part Three: Houses, Condos and UAMS Swag
Part Three: Houses, Condos and UAMS Swag
We drove down. Thanks to Gerri and Hannah covering my shift while I interviewed at St. Vincent’s
It was nerve wracking. We drove, visited Ms. Susan (the one person we know down here) We had a few houses to look at the next morning, then my interview and more houses to see after that.
What a stressful situation.
We did luck out with an AMAZING Realtor. She instantly picked up on our aversion to house upkeep, yard work, and general drive time (might have something to do with both growing up in the country 30 minutes from town) and suggested a few condos.
Well, she was going to look up some more addresses and after my interview we would focus more on those.
The interview went well, I think I already blogged about it though so I might skip over how amazing I was ;) I did take my nursing portfolio and anyone from Missouri State will know what THAT means. Yes, I had to pack a separate bag just to carry it down with me.
At the end of the day we found this condo.So we Bought it.Yep, set up the closing date for a month from the day.
Now I got to panic about actually GETTING the job at St. Vincent’s. My biggest concern was what do we do if I don’t get it? Would I be able to get another job before the closing date? We really needed proof of employment to qualify. Oh, it was a nail biter. But, being me and careless. I still didn’t apply anywhere else.
Luckily, I heard back within a little more than a week. (I think this was blogged too) I got it. Success!!!
Now I had a job and a house. It was time to pack and say good bye.
We drove down. Thanks to Gerri and Hannah covering my shift while I interviewed at St. Vincent’s
It was nerve wracking. We drove, visited Ms. Susan (the one person we know down here) We had a few houses to look at the next morning, then my interview and more houses to see after that.
What a stressful situation.
We did luck out with an AMAZING Realtor. She instantly picked up on our aversion to house upkeep, yard work, and general drive time (might have something to do with both growing up in the country 30 minutes from town) and suggested a few condos.
Well, she was going to look up some more addresses and after my interview we would focus more on those.
The interview went well, I think I already blogged about it though so I might skip over how amazing I was ;) I did take my nursing portfolio and anyone from Missouri State will know what THAT means. Yes, I had to pack a separate bag just to carry it down with me.
At the end of the day we found this condo.So we Bought it.Yep, set up the closing date for a month from the day.
Now I got to panic about actually GETTING the job at St. Vincent’s. My biggest concern was what do we do if I don’t get it? Would I be able to get another job before the closing date? We really needed proof of employment to qualify. Oh, it was a nail biter. But, being me and careless. I still didn’t apply anywhere else.
Luckily, I heard back within a little more than a week. (I think this was blogged too) I got it. Success!!!
Now I had a job and a house. It was time to pack and say good bye.
Part Two: Workin’ Girl
Part Two: Workin’ Girl
So I had an awesome job. I worked in the ER at Cox. Fun times, great people. Stressful and difficult for a new nurse, but I wouldn’t ever give it up. Well… I take that back…
Well, I had to start working to get a job. So I signed up on careerbulider.com and submitted some information. I also googled what hospitals were in the area. There were a couple of options. I saw some day shifts open in St. Vincent’s ER. So I browsed their website and decided I would update my resume and send it later that week.
Wouldn’t you know it the positions filled the next day.
Crap, I was new to this whole looking for work thing. What if I wasn’t able to get a job?! John calmed me down. I could get a job, it might not be perfect or what I really want but I could get something. Maybe a floor position or something. I shudder, but it was all for a good cause.
So I littered my application all over St. Vincent’s Hospital. Within a few days I got a call from their nurse recruiter. She said she had received my application and felt like I was more suited for the ER. Would I be interested in working there or had I decided to step away? (and this was why I applied all over) I said I was VERY interested in the ER but they had no openings on their web site. She said there were a few interdepartmental positions opening and she would talk to their manager and get back to me.
Woohoo!! I was so happy AGAIN! Except, oh geez what if it was night shift?! I did nights once as a PCA before I got my license. Ick, I am NOT a night person. I can do it, but sheesh. Not my cup of tea.
Turns out all this worrying was for nothing. The position was an 11am to 11pm shift. Oh MAN that sounded nice. Sleeping in, being on a similar schedule as John (he doesn’t do mornings) and generally living like a normal person. They said they would set up a phone interview soon. I told John and he was so happy he got ahold of a realtor and scheduled us to look at some houses within in the next two days. (See if you can get off work he said.) I called St. Vincent’s to tell them I would be down soon, if they wanted to meet me face to face. Essentially, setting up my own interview.
Within two days we jumped in the car and drove down.
Part One:Acceptance
The Move Part One: Acceptance
Mid-Februrary John was accepted to University of Arkansas school of Medical Sciences. Yay and excitement! He’s been working for this his entire life! Now it was finally here! When he opened the yellow package with trepidation (it could be a rejection letter) and a pamphlet fell out about living on campus we were so relieved!
It was exciting, scary and sad all at once. We had been waiting to hear back since his interview in January. Now we finally knew where we would be living for the next four years.
It was very important to learn this soon since our lease for the apartment was going to be finished up in March!
We were still waiting to hear back from his other school Mizzou (at that time the first choice, waitlisted ) but after doing some research between the two he discovered that UAMS was
actually a better school.So he signed the acceptance letter and mailed it back!
Like I said, exciting and yet sad. I was reconnecting with some friends. I’m pretty bad at keeping up with people and was just getting around to hanging out with them again. Now I felt like it was pointless knowing I’d be leaving them so. However, it’s more important to have fun times now than wish you had later.
Love you guys and miss you.
Next came the preparations to get a new job. Because, you can’t really buy a house if you don’t have a job.
The Move
The Move
This transaction will take place over several, several posts. Sorry, but that’s the nature of the beast. I’ve done a very poor job keeping up with everything. At least with this I’ve had the excuse of moving. However, alas and alack the time of me slacking off has to draw to a close now that I am so desperately far away from my loved ones. I miss you all greatly.
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